Marinwood 'freeway jumper' crackdown approved

A county crackdown on southbound "freeway jumpers" who have clogged neighborhood traffic in Marinwood for years begins later this month, and local residents are so happy they will celebrate with coffee and doughnuts.

Bill McNicholas, a resident who has advocated improvements for 25 years, was elated Tuesday as county supervisors approved an ordinance barring "freeway queue jumping" through his neighborhood. Freeway congestion jumpers exit at Miller Creek Road to avoid Highway 101 congestion, zip across local streets, then merge back onto the freeway.

McNicholas said neighbors intend to celebrate with coffee and doughnuts in two weeks, when signs are expected to go up prohibiting U-turns at Miller Creek Road and Marinwood Avenue, as well as nearby intersections.

Top officials approved new restrictions on a 4-0 vote in the absence of Supervisor Susan Adams, who helped orchestrate the program after working on the problem for years.

County senior civil engineer Bob Goralka said commuters dart straight across Miller Creek Road in front of oncoming traffic, make U-turns at Miller Creek Road and Marinwood Avenue, blocking the intersection, and merge across Miller Creek Road from the southbound right turn lane.

Adams reported a week ago that while other actions worked for a time, traffic problems have persisted. Another look at the problem by Caltrans and California Highway Patrol officials prompted the new sign program, Adams said.

Goralka said that turn restrictions from 6 to 10 a.m. are "the best short-term means of reducing freeway queue jumping." Restrictions will include:

 A left-turn only restriction at the southbound U.S. 101 ramp intersection and Miller Creek Road intersection.

 A U-turn prohibition at the westbound approach of the Miller Creek Road/Marinwood Avenue intersection.

 A U-turn prohibition at the northbound approach of the Marinwood Avenue/Blackstone Drive intersection.

 A U-turn prohibition on southbound Marinwood Avenue between Miller Creek Road and the northern driveway at Marinwood Market.

Goralka noted that to curb traffic from diverting to Las Gallinas Avenue, "the CHP has agreed to vigilantly enforce the portions of Las Gallinas Avenue that have been certified for 25 mph speed limits" as well as enforce the turn restrictions.